Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm

by Dan Charnas

Common gave James his new nickname. A member of Common’s band was named “J. B.” Common had started calling him “J. Billa” while they were on tour. During the making of Like Water for Chocolate, “Jay Dee” similarly became “J Dilla.”2